FieldDxPorcine failure to thriveClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in pigs.
Overview
A poorly understood, multifactorial syndrome causing growth retardation and debilitation in weaned pigs. The cause is unknown; several infectious and non-infectious factors, possibly including genetic predisposition, are suspected without a consistent link.
Clinical signs
- Progressive debilitation and poor growth, typically two to three weeks after weaning.
- Anorexia, lethargy and a hollow abdomen in the first week after weaning.
- Pigs lie in piles, appear chilled, then show marked muscle weakness and poor condition.
- Repetitive oral behaviours such as chomping, licking or chewing; diarrhoea is inconsistent.
- Necropsy: severe thymic atrophy, scant stomach contents and often empty intestines.
Predisposing factors
- Weaning is the critical transition from liquid to solid feed, and some piglets fail to adapt.
- Genetic susceptibility is suggested: paternity tests linked affected piglets to certain boars.
- Post-weaning intestinal barrier dysfunction is more severe in affected pigs.
- Diet, vitamin D status and farm environment were examined without a clear causal link.
Look-alikes to rule out
Treatment
No specific treatment or prevention exists; early detection (4-5 days post-weaning) with aggressive supportive care, and addressing concurrent pathogens and environmental stressors, gives the best chance of recovery.
Prevention
1. Nutritional, environmental and management interventions tried so far were not effective. 2. Removing suspected problem boars markedly reduced on-farm prevalence in one reported case. 3. No vaccination strategy is stated.
Source
Porcine Health Management, Rodriguez-Ruiz M et al. (2025), via PubMed Central — Periweaning failure to thrive syndrome (PFTS): A growing concern in swine health (accessed 2026-10-29)
MSD Veterinary Manual — Porcine Circoviruses and Their Associated Diseases (accessed 2026-08-12)
Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.